Many years ago one of my African students failed to turn in an assignment. When I asked him about it, he said, “It was God’s will.” “How is that?” I asked. He responded, “If God wanted me to do it He would have gotten me out of bed and made me write it.” Today I heard the opposite side of that story. Today a student did not turn in a book report and said, “Sorry sir, but, the devil kept me from writing it by keeping me busy.”
I do not want to disregard God’s or Satan’s influence in our lives, but personal responsibility is a part of character development. It seems to be our nature to look for someone to blame for our failures. If we can’t find another human, then we start looking at God or Satan. If that doesn’t fit our theology we convince ourselves we are ill, therefore, excusing ourselves. My point is we search to blame someone or something other than ourselves. Adam started it. “The woman you gave me. She made me do it.” Eve followed by blaming it on the serpent. Had God inquired of the serpent I am sure it would have said, “Satan made me do it.” And Satan would have responded, “God, you made me do it.”
One of my heroes was Harry Truman. “The buck stops here!” It is so refreshing to hear someone accept blame for something that went wrong. Not so long ago I heard an administrator apologize for something one of his team member’s failure. My respect for that administrator soared.
If we are to receive God’s grace in the Day of Judgment, we have to be bold and say, “Lord, I failed you. I am sorry.” And He will say, “Welcome home.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 11, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org